Application of computer-aided design in the Ontario Domed Stadium project

Abstract

Application of computer-aided design (CAD) in civil engineering is most effective when the entire design process, from design and analysis to construction, is integrated. Owing to the complexity of civil engineering projects, complete integration of design has not been achieved as yet. However, even partial integration considerably improves the reliability and efficiency of the design process. This is illustrated in the paper through a case study on the application of CAD in the structural design of the Ontario Domed Stadium. The Ontario Domed Stadium, currently being constructed on a site near the Toronto harbour, will have a seating capacity of 55 000. A unique feature of the stadium is its fully retractable roof. The proposed roof has four separate steel space truss panels, three of which move along tracks and one of which is fixed. To handle the large volume of data involved in the design and analysis of the roof structure, generation of data files containing information on the geometry and topology of the roof structure was automated as much as possible. Special interfaces were developed to transfer this data to application programs for structural analysis, design, and production of working drawings. Computer graphics played a vital role in the design process, assisting in data generation, visual check of geometry and deflected shapes, and seating layout. Key words: computer-aided design, CAD, computer graphics, Ontario Domed Stadium, sight line studies, solids modelling.